Detection of FMDV by Anchoring Transitions of Liquid Crystals

Platypus/TM/ technology is a novel, platform technology for the detection of molecular interactions. It is based on the exquisite sensitivity of liquid crystals to nano-scale features on surfaces. It can be used for the detection of a wide range of target molecules. It's advantages are: simplicity, rapidity, freedom from secondary amplification systems, enzymes or labels, the use of visible light as the direct readout, fieldability and the ability to design multiplex assays. We have demonstrated the potential application of our technology to diagnostic virology using polymeric materials with surface features on the 50-100 nm scale produced by e-beam lithography. In this proposal, we will determine the feasibility of developing the technology for the detection of smaller viruses, such as foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV), whose sizes are below the current limits of routine materials fabrication based on e-beam lithography. We propose to develop new types of surfaces based on nanostructured gold films with topography matched to that of the size of FMDV. We will functionalize these surfaces with a single chain antibody specific for FMDV in such a way that liquid crystals will uniformly anchor on these surfaces. We will also demonstrate that FMDV will bind to these surfaces in such a way that it will give rise to easily visualized changes in the appearance of liquid crystals anchored on these surfaces.